Page 77 of Dangerous Seduction

I returned to the reason why I was there. “Great to see you again, Alessandro. I trust you’ve been well?”

He gave a hearty laugh, rubbing his hands together as he took a seat at the head of the table. “Never better, my friend. Business is booming.”

I settled back into my chair, a confident smile on my face. “That’s good to hear. I have some exciting updates to share about our potential partnership as well.”

Vanessa poured coffee for us, her movements smooth and deliberate.

I launched into my pitch, laying out the potential benefits of our business deal with a confidence that I knew would appeal to Alessandro. I outlined the financial gains, the expanded market reach, and the synergies between our organizations.

As I concluded my presentation, Alessandro leaned back, steepling his fingers as he regarded me with a calculating gaze. “Impressive, Dante. Very impressive.”

I allowed myself a satisfied smile, relishing the compliment coming from a man of Alessandro’s stature. “Thank you. I believe this deal could be mutually beneficial, and I’m confident we can make it a success.”

Alessandro nodded, his face turning somber. “Unfortunately, Dante, I’m going to have to decline your offer.”

My smile faltered, confusion washing over me as I tried to make sense of his words. “I don’t understand. What’s changed?”

Alessandro’s eyes flickered to Vanessa, who offered him an almost imperceptible shake of her head. “It’s not you, Dante. It’s... circumstances beyond my control.”

I felt a spark of annoyance igniting within me, a burning need to understand what had caused this sudden change of heart. “Circumstances? What circumstances?”

Alessandro shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his gaze dropping to the table. “It’s your father, Dante. He... paid me a visit.”

My blood ran cold at the mention of my father, a bitter taste rising in my mouth. So, even here, he found a way to sabotage my plans.

“What did he say?” I bit out.

Alessandro hesitated, his eyes flicking to Vanessa before returning to mine. “He made it very clear that he does not approve of our business venture, and he has... asked me to walk away.”

A snarl built in my throat, an animalistic growl that rattled the fragile fragments of my self-control. How dare my father try to interfere? Again. Always my fucking father, standing in the way of my dreams, casting his long, dark shadow over my life.

“I’ll handle my father,” I said, my hands clenched into fists on the tabletop. “You have my word, Alessandro. This deal will go through.”

Alessandro shook his head. “I’m sorry, Dante. I can’t risk it. My family – they’re my priority. I can’t afford to get caught up in your family’s... issues.”

I could feel Vanessa’s eyes on me, watching the scene unfold. But I barely registered her presence, anymore.

“I understand, Alessandro,” I said, my voice cold. “Family is everything, after all. Even when they’re the ones fucking you over.”

I pushed back from the table, my movements smooth and controlled despite the turmoil raging within me. “Thank you for your time. I’ll see myself out.”

I didn’t look back as I walked away, my mind already spinning with plans. My father thought he could control me, could dictate the terms of my life with threats and intimidation. Fuck that.

The elevator doors closed behind me, and I slammed my fist against the wall, the force of the impact reverberating through my body. I wanted to scream, to unleash the rage that was building inside me.

I stabbed at the buttons for the lobby, the elevator descending with excruciating slowness. I wanted to get the hell out of this building, breathe some fresh air and clear my fucking head.

As the doors slid open, I strode out into the opulent lobby. Fuck! I really wanted to see Natalia, to lose myself in her embrace and wash away the bitter taste of my father’s betrayal.

I needed her in a way I couldn’t ignore.

The rush of the street welcomed me as I emerged from the building, the afternoon sun warming my face. I pulled out my phone, my thumb hovering over Natalia’s contact for a moment before I pressed the call button.

It went to voicemail. “Natalia, it’s me. I need to hear your voice. Call me back when you get this.”

Next, I hit the speed dial for Marco, the phone to my ear as I strode towards my Maserati. This was the only way to re-center, get my head back in the game after the biggest potential business deal went down the drain because of my asshole father.

The phone rang twice before Marco’s voice cracked through the line. “Dante, what’s the word?”

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